Primary cell.



W. TASSIN, DECD.

H. E. GAscn. Aummvsmmon.

PRIMARY CELL.

APPucAloN msn :un: w. |914.

Patented Aug. 29, 191g.

@wi/kwamen WITEM @Talma PATIENT Cfflfl.

WIRT TASSIN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; HERMAN E. GASCH,ADMIN- ISTRATOR OF SAID TASSIN, DECEASED, ASSIGNOR TO KINETIC ELECTRICCOMPANY, 0F NORFOLK, vVIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

PRIMARY CELL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, M116.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, VIRT TAssIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Primary Cells, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to primary cells; and it comprises a compact andeconomical cell of long life and high efficiency and comprising amechanically strong annular electrode of cupriferous depolarizingmaterial, which in addition to its electrical functions serves also forgiving mechanical strength to the cell as a whole, and also comprising asubstantially centrally arranged positive electrode of zinc, cadmium,magnesium or the like of a special skeleton or slatted form; saidcellalso comprising certain new and advantageous details of constructionof the cell walls and top and bottom sections; all as .more fullyhereinafter set forth and as claimed.

In the current art there are a number of types of primary cell whereincopper oXid (which is always the black or cupric oxid) is used as adepolarizer. Sometimes the cupric oxid is used as a loose granular bodyof copper scale or the like; and sometimes it is cemented or otherwiseaggregated into shaped bodies. The electrolyte is usually alkaline. Ndneof these copper oXid cells however is of a mechanically strongconstruction. Rough usage, such as the shaking or jarring incidental tothe use of such cells in automobiles, motorboats and the like, resultsin damage to the electrodes, destruction of the cells and shortcircuiting.

It is an object of the present invention to produce a primary cell inwhich the constituent active parts are so proportioned that it affordsthe maximum strength and. durability with the minimum size and weightconsistent with a given output; giving a cell which is of relativelylong life and which gives a relatively constant output till certain ofthe active constituents are consumed and in which the full dischargerate is reached immediately on putting into ac tion. The present cell isdesigned for use in any place where it may be subjected to rough usageas shaking or jarring, as in automobiles, motorboats and the like and isintended to meet the requirements of motor, internal combustion or otherengine wherein electricity is resorted to for the ignition of the powergenerating vapor or gas; by the provision of a cell the parts of whichare durable, simple in construction and permit of a quick and cheapassembly,

In producing the present cell in lieu of using the ordinary copper oXidelectrodes or depolarizers I advantageously use a special cupriferousmaterial for my negative electrede. I have found that a compositioncontaining both cuplous and cupric oXids, with the former in excess andadvantageously in large excess, possesses a number of electricaladvantages; giving the cell in which it is used a long life and anunusually uniform rate of discharge. In another application SerialNumber 843,495, I have described and claimed negative electrodescomposed of this material. Advantageously, the ratio of cuprous oxid tocupric oxid is about 2:1. lVhile electrodes of this material may be madeby directly mixing the two oxids in the desired proportions, I havefound that it is better to produce them in a state of in timateadmixture or, and very likely, in a state of combination, by heatingblack copper oxid at such a high temperature that oxygen is freelyevolved. In so heating a portion of the CuO becomes Cu2() while aportion remains as CuO. At a temperature at which the oXid fuses orsinters, an equilibrium or balance is established between the cuprousoXid produced by evolution of oxygen and residual cupric oxid in whichthere is the approximate ratio of Cu2O:CuO:2:1. A cheap and advantageousmethod of producing such material is to take ordinary crude coppersulfate, heat it until the sulfuric acid is substantially expelled andoXid of copper left, grind, magnetically separate any contained iron(iron is undesirable in the electrode material) and then bring thepurified oXid to the fusing or sinistering temperature, maintaining itat this temperature until free evolution of oxygen substantially ceases.In so fusing or sintering, the material becomes, mechanicallyconsidered, strong and resistant. In the present invention therefore Ivtake black copper oxid and place it in a mold, which may be of iron orother suitable. material, and heat until the i'ree evolutionxof oxygenceases and the described approximate ratio ofCuzO to C110 of 2:1 isobtained.- At this point, the material becomes an open texturedaggregate. The mold is so shaped as-to produce an annulus of the sizedesired for the cell wall. Before .a container fort e cell, it merelyneeding waterproofing on the exterior surface for 'this purpose. a Itmay beso waterproofed i paper separator partition 5 whic made; asdescribed into the.; carton.v

by a c oating of paint, Varnish,' ete. But'it is advantageous-to use itin'connection with a cartonjof pa er, paperboard or the like. Inassemblingit e cell the negative electrode may be Simply slipped l. Invthe accompanying drawing I have shown, more or less diagrammatically acell under the present invention.

In this showing Figure 1 is a vertical section of the completecell withthe cathode shown in elevation; Fig. 2-is a detail View of a hanger orcarr ing 'frame formlng part of thecathode; an Fig. 3 is a plan View ofapaperseparator used in constructing the' cell.

Referring to the drawings, element 1 designates 'a paper carton having`the turned-up portion 2 to serve as a foot and maintain the cellnormally spaced fromthe ound or receptacle in which it is resting.

ecuredvr against this turned-up portion 1s bottom 3. When the cell is ofcylindrical formation this bottom is disk-shaped-and has a' raisedperiphery or annular rim 4 to give rigidity and strength. The carton andits bottom may be made of any material but I ordinarily employparailined paper or vulcanizedl fiber. In the lupper part of the cartonis located a waxed or aralined is used in supporting: the positiveelectrode and also serves to form a liquid tight and air tight seal.y Itis sealed to and rests upon the negative electrode. The. Walls of -thecarton vextend above the partitiony and carry top.6,` crimpedv @ver at7. Within the cartonfis annularnegativeelectrode 8, of thelstatedcupro-cupric oxid material. A copper wire or other conductor 9 isembedded therein. The upper portion 10 of this conductorl is arranged insuch position that in assembling it may pass through the lholes in thepartitlon and the top. It is secured in position byl locknut 11. Thisassists in holding the top in place. The annular negative electrode 8practically constitutes the Advantageously vthis Wire is wan of thee611. The outer Sie@ of this,

electrode may if desired be coated with paraflin, waterproof paint orthe like in orderthat the electrolyte may not seep rim (4) of the bottomof the carton. While other types of positive electrode or pole may beused, I find it particularly advanta ecus in producing the presentcompact an eilicient form of cell to use the one shown in the drawing.As shown, this electrode is composed (see Fig. 2) of a zinc han er whichhas depending portions 13 provi ed with turned .over or hook portions14. As

shown, there are two sets of these han er arms arranged at right anglesto each ot er and electrically welded together. Welding is preferable tosoldering. In so welding, a paste of comminuted zinc may be used betweenthe parts to be united; this zinc acting as an autogenous solder. Suporting terminal and conductor rod 15 o copper passes through the top orsaddle of the two angers terminating 1n head 16, which may be tinned.This terminal may advantageously be in` position prior to the electricwelding and be electrically welded to the zinc. vAround the skeletonframe forme'd by these hangers I wind a strip of zinc 17 to form an openspiral. This structure aliords free fluid communication between theinterior of the ositive electrode and the surrounding e ectrolyte. Thislspiral zinc strip may, and advantageously is, welded to the han ers.

In assembling the e ements heretofore described, the negative electrodeis slipped into the carton or wrapper, and the paper separator (5) isplaced over the terminal of the positive electrode described. On thisseparator and over the conductor is placed liber washer 18.-Advantageously this Washer is threaded, making it really a nut, and isscrewed -down on the conductor to lock the separator in place. Theseparator and the positive electrode are now placed in position afterputting the electrolyte in the cell. In thus assembling, hole or slot 19(see Fig. 3 ofthe separator goes over the terminal o the negativeelectrode. The space above the separator is now filled with a suitableabsorbent 20, such as bibulous ager scraps, corn pith, kieselguhr, etc.i ulous or blotting paper is however very satisfactory. Wax, rosm, etc.,may be cast intothe space above the separator. The top isnow placed inposition-andlock-nuts 11 and 21 screwed down on'the terminals of 125"the respective electrodes.

The electrolyte employed may be any caustic alkali solution, such assoda or potash. It may be thickened by any of the usual materials togive a pulpy or pasty elecitv maaeii trolyte when it is desired to usethe described cell as a dry cell.

The carton may be waterproofed by any of theusual varnishing andwaterproofing compositions. The top and the separator may be similarlytreated. The separator partition may be of any heavy impregnated paperor fiber materials. lt is punched as shown in Fig. 3 for convenience inassemblage. After assemblage with the carton and the. electrodes it maybe sealed fast to the interior of the carton by wax or other suitablesealing means. So employed and in connection with the fiber washer 18,it forms a liquid tight seal for the top of the cell. In assembling, alittle paran or Wax may be poured in.' This seals the surface, sealsaround the fiber washer' and closes the top of4 slot 19. which litsclosely to the conductor.

Thestructure shown is one that affords great stiffness and resistance tosuddenly applied shock or jars. The prolongation or o'set at the top andbottom of the carton give an increased resistance to vertically appliedstresses and a'ords protection to the terminalsof the electrode. Withtheparticular form of positive electrode. shown which though described asbeing of zinc may be of magnesium or cadmium or alloys of any of thesemetals, there is a substantially constant ratio of surface oftheelectrode in use, which insures a substantially complete consumptionof the zinc at the time of exhaustion of the cell. The electrodeterminates some distance from the bottom of the p and inhibiting shortcircuiting. Withy the spiral design a maximum zinc area is ex posed tothe action ,of the electrolyte; and in this form the upper portionV ofthe element of the electrode does not dissolve unequally. Practicallyall parts of the zinc electrode are practically at the same distancefrom the inner Wall of the negative electrode, and the skeleton formgives a higher eciencythan is possible with the ordinary form of primarycell having a relativelyr small solid centrally disposed zinc rod. Theautogenous welding of the zinc electrode obviates the opportunity forlocal action a'orded by use of solder.

The separator partitionv shown is of an unusually advantageous type. litis sealed to and rests upon the negative electrode and is also sealed tothe papercarton or wrapper by the waxy material used vas described. Theseparator (5) acts as a support and guide for `the zinc element, servingto hold it centrally in the cell. It prevents splashing of the liquidelectrolyte, where such is used, and consequent short circuiting. It ismore advantageous than the use of oil which is common @il has thedisadvantage for this purpose. that it may be absorbed by the negativeele tilt ment and oily impregnation of any portion of the electroderenders such port1on no longer electrically active. It also acts as l la seal against the entrance of external air or gases and obviatesthelowering of the eiclency of the liquid alkalineelectrolyte resultingfrom the formation of carbonates.

While the space above the separator and the v tween the separator andthe top,`offering an additional preventive against short circuiting. Itfurther operates as a spacing ele ment between the cover and theseparator and as a seat for the lock-nut of the zinc element and thecover. Instead of forming the negative electrode by fusing or sinteringcopper oxid in a mold in the manner dev scribed, the fused or sinteredmaterial may be reground, mixed with molasses or other material givin abinderon firing, molded into shape an then baked. But I regard thedescribed method of sintering and forming simultaneously as the bestsince it gives a stronger product.

What I claim is 1. In Va primary cell, a hollow bodyl of mechanicallystrong cuprocupric oxid: serving asknegative electrode and -cell Wall,ex-

ternal means sealing the outer surface of said body against passageofliuid, any electrolyte within the vessel thus formed and a y centrallyhung positive electrode.

2. In' a primary cell, a hollow body of 'mechanically strong cuprocupricoxid serving as negative electrode and cell. wall, a carton fittingagainst the outer surface of .said bodyV to seal it against passage ofHuid,

an electrolyte within the vessel thus formed and a centrally hungpositive electrode.

rie

3. A primary cell comprisingga hollow' body of cuprocupric oxid servingas nega tive electrode and cell Wall, a cartoniitting lthe externalsurface of said body andina-vs ing a bottom serving as the cell bottom,,an electrolyte in the cell thusformed', acentrally located positiveelectrode, an. upper transverse partition of fibrous material. rest"`ing on thetop of the hollow body and seal v ing meansabove saidpartition.

4. ln a primary cell, apapencarton haar `l ing a bottom with a raisedperipheral rib;

a hollow bodyfofruprocupric oxid resting on said rib and fitting againstthe inner side of said carton, a centrally located suspended positiveelectrode, a transverse partition resting on the top of said positiveelectrode and sealing means `above said partition.

' 5. In a primaryv cell, a positive electrodeV composed cfa plurality ofzinc strips in open cage-like arrangement.

6; In a primary cell, a positive electrode composed of a plurality ofdepending hanger strips and a metal strip wound therearound yin anopenspiral. Y

7. In a primary cell, a positive electrode composed of a plurality ofdepending hanger strips and a metal strip wound therearound in an openspiral, said spiral and strips being well-united. Y

8.l A primary 'cell composed of a hollow body of,y cuprocupric oXid, aninclosing carton, a contained body of electrolyte, a centrally locatedpositive electrode composed of zinc strips in open arrangement andsealing 4means for the top of the cell.

9.,In a `primary cell, a carton, a hollow negative electrode fittingagainst the carton walls, a contained body of electrolyte, a centrallypositioned positive electrode, a transverse separator partition restingon the top of the negative electrode and supporting the positiveelectrode, said separator being positioned somewhat below the top of thecarton walls, means for sealing said separator in position liquid tight,a cover spaced above the separator and absorbent material between thecover and separator.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

VVIRT TASSIN. Witnesses:

K. P. MCELROY, JOHN H. SIGGERS.

